March 2020

TRUST IS OUR CORE COMPETENCE...

CTNCI ACTIVITIES : • The context of Covid-19: Teleworking: CTNCI is operational • Video of CTNCI 30th Anniversary which was celebrated on 19-02- 2020 is posted on our website: Click here to view • Enhancing our Chamber’s presence in and Le Kef NEWSLETTER - MARCH 2020

OPINION COLUMN OF OUR HONORARY MEMBERS

Pr. Hassen A. Gharbi

LET’S ALL WEAR OUR MASKS ! CHAMBRE TUNISO-NEERLANDAISE POUR LE COMMERCE ET L’INDUSTRIE PARMI NOS NOUVELLES FORMULES DE MEMBERSHIP NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020 3

• Activities • Cooperation • Honorary Members • Companies of the Month • Membership

SUMMARY • CTNCI Library

Program of activities 1st quarter of 2020 Mission n°1 : • Measures boosting the development of commercial exchanges between our two countries: • Note to our Members and Friends • A joint initiative of CTNCI and ATGF: socio-economic impact of the CORONAVIRUS crisis • Article on the concept of telecommuting and business continuity in the current health context - Covid -19 • Follow-up visit to Bizerte • Enhancing our Chamber’s presence in Kef • 2nd meeting with a Representative of the Indonesian Embassy • Signing an Agreement with NABC • Interventions in favor of our members

Mission n°2 : Providing useful support to companies with the competent Authorities. (networking, assisting in addressing their queries and giving them coaching when getting in contact with their counterparts, relevant authorities, the Directorate General of Customs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry and SMEs, the Agency of the Promotion of Industry and Innovation (APII), the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), Central Bank of (BCT), Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), the Tunisian Union of Industry, Commerce and Crafts (UTICA), Ministry of Social Affairs, National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM), Confederation of Corporate Citizens in Tunisia (CONNECT), Governorates of Bizerte, , , Tunisian Company for Foreign Trade Insurance (COTUNACE) etc.… Mission n°3 : • Pull their weight in the economic debate and in the exchanges between the two countries by spearheading proposals (“think tank”). • Increase the visibility of Tunisia particularly in the Netherlands and suggest solutions to the wide range of questions concerning access to the Dutch market. • Holding brainstorming and information sharing sessions. • Provide information of high quality. Mission n°4 : Engage members/potential members of our Chamber to actively take part in major events, conferences, forums, exhibitions, seminars that are held in Tunisia and in the Netherlands (reinforce research work, internet). 4 NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020

ACTIVITIES To our members and friends

Dear Members and Friends of our Chamber,

First of all, we can only express our deepest gratitude to the Healthcare workers, Local Communities and Governments around the World for working on the front line to contain this scourge and we ask you in turn to take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe stay wherever you are in the World. In these turbulent times, our hearts go out to everyone and our thoughts are with those who have been affected by this disease.

We are all responding to the unprecedented challenge of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The health and well-being of our members, citizens and businesses and their safety regardless of where they live, reside and work, is for us an absolute priority.

We respect and support the draconian measures taken by our leaders to fight and control the spread of this pandemic. Compliance with domestic laws, decrees and guidelines is an integral part of our core values. However, in keeping with our mission, we continue to assist you and provide you with relevant and timely information to help you navigate through these turbulent times.

On behalf of our members, the Steering Committee and our small team, we look forward to assisting you and will do our best to help you get through this delicate period with a positive sense of possibility for the future. Remember to wash your hands, stay confined, respect social distancing, avoid mass gatherings and strictly comply with health and safety rules.

Be careful, take care of yourself and your family and stay safe.

Editorial NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020 5

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) : A SURVEY OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR CONTRIBUTIONS IN RESPONSE TO COVID -19

COVID-19: A SURVEY OF PRIVATE SECTOR of companies. The value of in-kind and/or financial CONTRIBUTIONS contributions was indicated by each respondent. The following summary sheds light on the diverse forms Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts of contributions made by those who responded to (UTICA), in cooperation with The Tunisian the survey. Few businesses have made either in- Hotel Federation (FTH), the Arab institute kind or financial contributions. of heads of companies (IACE), the Tunisian Federation of Insurance Companies (FTUSA), SUMMARY OF THE SURVEY RESULTS: the Center for Young Entrepreneurs (CJD) and the Council of Joint Chambers, completed on April 37.6% of undertakings surveyed purchased 9, 2020 a first enumeration form of the various equipment, supplies and medicines for hospitals. contributions of the private sector to fight against the coronavirus pandemic. This survey aims to Many companies have directly supported hospitals highlight the different forms of private sector and health workers. Notable examples include involvement, in terms of direct support to hospitals the financial coverage of 400,000 screening tests and medical staff, innovation and technological provided for free. By collecting the responses of support, job keeping and food aid as well as several participants, more than 250,000 masks were financial donations. In order to identify and value thus supplied, imported or produced locally. The these contributions, a form was filled in by 213 same goes for jumpsuits and white coats. Some representatives of companies, sectors and groups companies are notably transforming diving masks 6 NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020

into respirators using an Italian patent provided by hospitals, either directly or through civil society the Tunisian-Italian Chamber of Commerce. Several organizations. ambulances were provided, as well as respirators and RT-PCR devices and surveillance monitors. 15% of polled companies reported having provided Hand sanitizers and hygiene products have also technological and digital support been distributed to health workers as well as law enforcement agents. Examples range from equipping 100 ambulances The pharmaceutical industry has been successfully with tablets and GPS navigators, which are mobilized so as to avoid any medicine shortage connected to the crisis unit operating under the despite the high demand for storage on the one Ministry of Health, itself equipped with computers hand and international logistical disruptions relating and software granted by the same companies. to the availability of active ingredients on the other. It is to be noted that several digital companies The industrialists in the sector have committed have put resources of development engineering themselves to large donations of medicines for and consulting at the disposal of the Ministry the benefit of hospitals and through the National of Health and the Government along with call Donation Commission following a concerted centers staffed with Covid-19 diagnostic hotlines, initiative for an amount to date of 2.4 million or the ongoing Sharek initiative that aims to dinars. Some manufacturers have adapted their equip students from modest income families with computers and connections allowing them access to e-learning. The solutions made available also include Covid-19 online diagnostic platforms, remote monitoring systems for resuscitation rooms, and platforms for real-time identification of available beds to optimize the hospitalization of identified patients. Among the digital innovations, a platform for tracking and geolocation of quarantine facilities to trace potential locations and contacts. Several solutions have also been developed for online purchases and services made available to production lines to manufacture large quantities citizens. of alcoholic-based solutions and gels. Other Solutions combined with training on conducting manufacturers have successfully implemented the teleworking have also been provided by many development and production of medicines based companies, to speed up the necessary adaptation on hydroxycholoroquine (HCQ), to get ready to of our operations. Repairs of defective ventilators in cover high demand. Treatment with azithromycin, hospitals are carried out by specialized companies a supplement to HCQ, has already been made but also initiatives for the manufacture of protective available to the Ministry of Health free of charge. safety equipment and respirators are launched. It should also be noted that the adjustment initiative Several dozen proposals for technological and of the textile industry allowing it to produce category digital innovations are made by digital startups and 1 of masks of up to 1 million masks per day. These companies to the ministries of Health, Social Affairs, washable «barrier» masks will be produced at a Education and the Interior, either directly or through capped price based on a set of specifications in order Hackatons (competitions) organized by several to provide the population with efficient protective actors. The technological and digital upgrading face masks at low cost, in preparation for the lifting made possible by the commitment of companies of the public lockdown. has thus enabled a qualitative and effective leap The examples are numerous, and demonstrate forward in public management of the epidemic and the strong bond created between companies and its consequences. NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020 7

the value of contributions made, be it for digital 13% of the surveyed companies provided health upgrades, the purchase of equipment, food and local infrastructure for quarantine facilities. supply and direct financial support. Among the 213 respondents, the total of these contributions 3,037 hotel rooms are made available by the being reported amounts to 114 million and 677 hospitality sector, of which 1,014 are already thousand dinars. It should be pointed out that booked and 2,023 in their way, in most regions, the contributions of three private banks, which on a voluntary basis and free of charge. These completed this survey, are included in this overall rooms are used both for the confined and for figure. the medical personnel on the front line of this epidemic. The initiatives are diverse in terms of type The ability to keep employees’ salaries : and magnitude: we will note for example several dry-cleaners and laundries which sanitize the jumpsuits of our medical staff that match up to the standards required and free of charge. The private sector has also made it possible to enhance the existing capacity and infrastructure of hospitals, in particular by the construction in 15 days of new additions to hospitals as Covid-19 designated centers or for the admission of patients. Several private clinics have also discussed the provision of resuscitation beds and hospital beds.

40.4% provided food support.

Many companies have participated in In total, 93% of the polled companies through the joint operations of food baskets. These companies 213 representatives were able to pay salaries have provided additional social assistance and to the employees for March. Of all respondents, support either to the Tunisian Union of Social 70.5% say they will be able to pay full wages for Solidarity or directly to charities or their employees. April, 36.6% will be able to honor their commitment These initiatives have taken place in most regions. for May salaries, and only 17.8% say they will be Note for example where more than 10,000 able to do that beyond the month of May given food baskets have been supplied, in a partnership their situation. It should be noted that this survey between UTICA Sfax, Rotary, on the initiative was targeting companies, often of medium and of business leaders. In total, it is well over 120 large sized enterprises, which have supported the thousand food baskets were provided to the poor, fight against the covid-19 outbreak, and does not some under way and the remaining is scheduled take into account the situation of VSEs, individual in particular for the sacred month of Ramadan, companies which make up the core of the economic according to the survey responses. fabric. Nevertheless, the strong downward trend on this point is clear, and demonstrates that April 45.5% of the polled companies and sectors made a is a pivotal month for the resilience of businesses direct donation to the 1818 fund. in the face of the crisis and a very high risk for employment, in particular. Financial contributions have been sent to various organizations: associations, town halls, Anticipations of the crisis impact on the economic organizations and federations, hospitals, etc. 45.5% fabric : of companies also supported the 1818 initiative, often in addition to other types of action. Regarding the prospects and the impact of the crisis on the economic fabric, 15% of those surveyed Estimated value of contributions : believe that there will be some damage, though limited, anticipating that the majority of the The survey asked each respondent to estimate economic fabric will survive until such time when 8 NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020

the button of reset is ready to press. 13.1% believe that there will be a high mortality and bankruptcy rate within the economic fabric. The overwhelming majority of respondents (67.6%) indicate that too many sectors will be affected and that we are facing a major systemic and social risk. The response to the question related to our capacity for resilience in spite of the announced support measures, when linked to the observed trend in the capacity to maintain the payment of wages, further sheds light on the size of the shocks hitting the economy and the extent of the measures to be proposed and the adjustments to be made within our sectors..

Image of the entrepreneurial path:

92.5% of the surveyed companies believe that there is a need to further invest in the image of the private sector in order to make people appreciate the entrepreneurial path and to communicate the social role of business leaders. This image is consolidated by institutional communication but also improvements on the ground are noted.

SECTORS REPRESENTED BY RESPONDENTS :

• 13.6% are in the textile, clothing, leather and • 3.3% are from the Banking, Insurance and footwear industry. Finance sector • 10.8% are from the digital and telecom sector • 2.8% are diversified • 9.9% are from the mechanical and electrical • 2.3% are from the timber and furniture industry engineering industries • 1.9% are from the real estate sector • 9.4% are from the hospitality and tourism • 1.9% are from the chemical sector sector • 1.9% are from the handicraft sector • 8.9% are from the food, agriculture and fisheries • 1.4% are from the transport sector sector • 0.9% are from the energy sector • 8.5% are from the distribution and trade sector • 0.5% are from the media and communication • 7% are from the services and consulting sector sector • 4.7% are from the health sector • 5.6% other sectors • 4.7% are from the building, construction materials and public works sector NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020 9

CTNCI AND ATGF JOINT INITIATIVE : ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

Exploring lines of on vocational training, the criteria and amounts thinking jointly covering the financing of training activities, as brought forward well as the maximum amounts allocated to by CTNCI and the finance related training activities, it appears that ATGF on possible distance learning is one of the activities eligible for solutions to financing under the mechanisms listed by the said mitigate the Ministerial Decree. economic and social impact of The easing of distance learning procedures the current crisis, a joint initiative was addressed and the shift to paperless training can revive to the government on Monday 6th, April. the training sector and save it from this crisis. This initiative primarily concerns the training However, the rate of financing provided for in the sector whose activities are financed by the tax on Decree is limited to 25% of the minimum wage vocational training. should be improved. Training firms and centers have come to a standstill despite the significant funding available through the mechanisms of vocational training tax. The staff of the overwhelming majority of firms are forced to stay at home, while the majority of firms are eligible for financing training measures through the mechanisms of vocational training tax. Pursuant to the Ministerial Decree of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Employment and the Professional Insertion of the Youth dated 10 February 2009, setting the areas of application of the advance tax

VIDEO 30TH ANNIVERSARY As previously announced, the video made for the 30th anniversary of the Chamber on 19-02-2020, is posted on our website under Mediacenter section https://www.tunidutch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CTNCI_30_Anniversary.mp4. CLICK HERE TO VIEW CHINA SOME USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS SOLIDARITY IS IMPORTANT IN THESE TIMES: Below are some contacts of the Embassy of China that may be useful : • The Economic Attaché: 98 335 982 • The Political Attaché Ms. Labiba: +86 158 1109 7314. • She can be reached via WhatsApp and is very helpful and efficient. 10 NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020

EL AJERI LAWYERS : THE NOTION OF TELECOMMUTING AND THE CONTINUITY OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY IN THE CURRENT HEALTH CONTEXT - COVID -19

Faithful to its mission and in view of the current context, our Member, El Ajeri Lawyers law firm- EAL communicated us a relevant analysis it conducted on the subject of teleworking under Tunisian legislation, the continuity of the business activity in the current health context as well as the proposed solutions and safety measures at work. In view of the interest that can be shown by many of our members, we would like to thank EAL for their support through this valuable input which we share with you. Enjoy your reading.”

EAL : WORKPLACE SAFETY AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY IN THE COVID-19 CONTEXT

In the current context in Tunisia, how can measures taken by the employer. To this end, employers perceive safety at work (I) and what article 153 (3) of the Labour Code provides that alternatives would be offered to «The worker is required to comply with the them to continue their activity (II) ? requirements relating to health and safety at work, and not to commit any act or failure likely to I- SAFETY AT WORK IN THE CONTEXT OF hinder the application of these requirements. In COVID-19 particular, he is required to do the following:

The legislator has placed an obligation on the • Carry out the instructions relating to the employer to ensure the health and safety of his protection of his health and safety, as well a employees. Thus, article 152-2 of the Labour Code those of the employees working with him in (L.C.) provides that «Every employer is required to the company, take the necessary and appropriate measures for • Use the means of prevention available to it, the protection of workers and the prevention of and ensure their conservation occupational hazards. In particular, he must: • Participate in training cycles and information and awareness activities relating to health • Ensure the protection of workers’ health in the and safety at work that the company workplace, Ensuring adequate working and organizes or adheres to environmental conditions, • Immediately inform his immediate supervisor • Protect workers from the inherent risks in the of any observed deficiency that could lead to machinery, equipment and products used, an occupational health and safety hazard, • Provide adequate collective and individual • Submit to the medical examinations means of prevention and train workers in their prescribed for him/her» use, • On the other hand, what should be done, if one • Inform and make workers aware of the risks of of the employees informs the employer that their professions». he or she has been infected with Covid-19? ? For his part, the employee must respect the NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020 11

The decree 2020-152 of 13 March 2020 classified resulting in a slowdown or even, for some, the the Corona virus Covid 19 among the communicable cessation of activity, diseases as listed in the annex of the law 1992-71 employers will try to find legal solutions that allow relating to communicable diseases. them to continue their activities as best they can, According to the mentioned decree, the legal while adapting to the provisions on compulsory examination, treatment new situation. and care and prophylactic isolation in the event of Also, what are the different options available to the communicable diseases are applicable to Covid-19. parties in a Covid-19 context ? Any infringement of the restrictions and directives issued by thehealth authorities shall be subject to 1- Recovering lost hours the penalties laid down in the legislation in force. Special prescriptions and measures of a preventive, The employer may decide to interrupt work. In such curative or educational nature, specific to each of the diseases to which the affected persons are subject, may be laid down by order of the Ministry of Health. In the case of Covid-19, no such order has yet been issued. It is, however, clear that the security measures for distancing employees must be scrupulously respected. According to this law, any person who knows that he or she is suffering from a communicable disease must be examined and treated by a physician. The Act does not refer to the employer’s obligations in such cases, but rather to the obligations of physicians who have diagnosed a communicable disease. Also, in the context of work, and in order for the employer to protect himself, it is recommended that all employees stillworking on a case, he decides to close the company and will work sites should have a medical examination by then apply the the occupational physician. The doctor will then be provisions of article 92 of the Labour Code according able to detect potential cases and/or risks, and take to which : the necessary measures, which in turn, will enable « Hours lost as a result of a collective labour you to make the appropriate decisions. disruption in an establishment or part of an Should an employee test positive for Covid-19, establishment may be recovered and from the employee’s point of view, he within two months of the labour disruption. Hours will have to be treated in accordance with the so recovered shall be paid at the straight-time rate. provisions recommended by law 1992-71. From the The Labour employer’s point of view, this employee will have Inspectorate is informed, in advance, of collective to be placed on sick leave in accordance with the interruptions of work and the modalities of recovery, legislation in force, i.e. on presentation of a medical by the head of the certificate within 48 hours. Theother employees establishment. However, if work is interrupted by an of the company must be informed, and a medical unforeseen event, notice shall be given immediately examination by the occupational physician must be ». carried out. Depending on the results of the tests, It should be pointed out that, in accordance with the the company will have to take one of the above- provisions of article 93 of the sameCode : mentioned measures to prevent the spread of the « (...) recovering lost hours may not have the effect virus. of increasing the weekly working time to more than In addition, the site will have to be completely sixty hours, disinfected. excluding the hours of permanent exemption, except in the case of urgent work the immediate II- ALTERNATIVES TO PURSUE ITS ACTIVITY performance of which is IN A COVID-19 CONTEXT necessary to prevent imminentaccidents or to organise rescue measures ». In a context of confinement, traffic restrictions, In this case, the employee is not paid for the time of 12 NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020 the work interruption. does not cover the hypothesis of an epidemic or Recovering is a right that belongs to the employer: health emergency, the employer could consider he alone can prescribe it. resorting to technological unemployment, as However, recovering of lost working hours is subject provided for in article 21 of the Labour Code. to conditions : In this sense, according to the same article « • The hours of work to be recovered must have Any employer who intends to dismiss or lay off been lost collectively. all or part of his permanent staff , for economic • Only working hours lost collectively below the or technological reasons, must first notify the number of weekly hours worked in the company territorially competent labour inspectorate ». are recoverable; Even if the concept of technical unemployment • Consequently, overtime is not recoverable; has not been defined by the legislator, it is possible • Recovery may take place only after the to refer to neighbouring rights in an attempt to collective interruption of work which justifies extract its meaning. Thus, article R5122-1 of the it; it may not be anticipated, even where the French Labour Code provides that « The employer collective unemployment which is the cause is may place his employees in a position of partial(1) foreseeable, for example in the case of a public activity when the company is forced to reduce or holiday temporarily interrupt • It must be brought to the attention of the its activity for one of the following reasons : territorially competent labour inspectorate. 1° The economic situation • Employees, for their part, may not refuse to carry 2° Difficulties in the supply of raw materials or out the recoveries requested of them without energy committing a fault liable to be sanctioned by 3° A disaster or bad weather of an exceptional dismissal or layoff. nature 4° The transformation, restructuring or 2- Taking paid annual leave (annual vacation) modernization of the company; 5° Any other circumstances of an exceptional The company may agree with the employee that the nature». period not worked will be considered paid vacation Consequently, lay-offs may be resorted to in the leave. In this case, the usual internal procedure for event of one or more of the above-mentioned taking paid leave will have to be followed. situations arising, bearing in mind that the It should be noted that : « In the event of the closure consequence is the suspension of the employment of the establishment or part thereof for a period contract and not its termination. longer than that of annual leave, the employer shall be required, for each working day of closure 5- Resorting to Teleworking exceeding the said leave, to pay the staff concerned remuneration not less than the daily allowance for The company can set up the telework system, when paid leave» (Article 119 of the Labour Code). its activity allows it. Although this concept has not This option does not require an addendum to the been regulated, it is possible that the parties could employment contract; establish and organize it. An addendum to the employment contract will then 3- Unpaid leave have to be drawn up. (See note on teleworking). All the proposed solutions will have to be discussed The company may agree with the employee that the with the staff representatives (works council or staff period not worked will be considered leave without representative) so that, a concerted decision can be pay. In this case, taken. This agreement must be in writing, without requiring Employers may also, depending on the case, mix an addendum to the employment contract. different options..

4- Technical unemployment

Despite the fact that article 21 of the Labour Code CTNCI LIBRARY Are at your disposal, press reviews and periodicals, of the month edited in Tunisia and / or abroad: • Réalités • African Manager • Jeune Afrique • Le Manager • Périodiques de Conjoncture de la BCT • 24/24 • Economiste Maghrébin • Résumé du Plan d’Investissement Extérieur NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020 13

ENHANCING THE PRESENCE OF OUR CHAMBER IN ALL THE GOVERNORATES OF THE REPUBLIC

09/03/2020 : FOLLOW-UP VISIT OF OUR TEXTILE MANUFACTURERS FROM KASSERINE TO THE GOVERNORATE OF BIZERTE

Mr. Tahar Hamzaoui, Mr. Lamine Dahri, Manager of CMK and Mr. Kamel Nasri, FTTH President accompanied by Mr. Mongi Goaied in Bizerte to pay a visit to: *1st appointment with our 2 members Mr. Ben Mittendorf (Lion Confection Group) and Mr. Pieter Roelfsema (NEDCO Group), *and other textile companies as well as Governor Si Mohamed Gouider, whom we would like to thank for his hospitality.

17/03/2020 ENHANCING THE PRESENCE OF OUR CHAMBER IN GOVERNORATE

Our Secretary General, Mr. M. Goaied, went to Kef on a business trip, with the purpose of enhancing the presence of our Chamber in the North West. Meeting with Mr. Aymen Bouhlali, First Delegate of Kef who granted an appointment to Mr. M. Goaied (Governor Mokhtar Nefzi, not available). Excellent communication, prospects for fruitful cooperation in the future, a much appreciated visit. Our Secretary General met some businessmen from the Region.

MEMBERSHIP In this column, we provide our new members a space to present their activities: 2 new members: 1) STÉ CHALIMAR 2) STÉ SO.RE.VA.DE • Activity: Textile • Activity: Plastic-recycling business • Tel: (+216) 98 44 47 30 • Tel:+216 96 99 88 00 • Email: [email protected] • Email: [email protected] • Name of Manager : Mr Sami Cherichi • Name of Manager : Mr Jaziri Faycel • (sponsored by Mr Mongi Goaied) • (Sponsored by Mr Mongi Goaied) 14 NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020

13-03-2020 : 2ND MEETING WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EMBASSY OF INDONESIA IN TUNISIA

Following the first meeting with H.E. Ikrar Nusa Bhakti, Ambassador of Indonesia to Tunisia accompanied by Mr. Baskoro Pramadani, Third Secretary * Fruitful contacts, the 2nd meeting scheduled for March 13th was held at the Embassy as agreed. * Possibilities of increasing Tunisian-Indonesian trade (imports of wood, exports of dates and olive oil; Indonesian companies in ) + development of membership. * Positive contact with the potential development of our members (Tunisian and Indonesian traders of date, olive oil and wood crafts from both countries). A meeting will be scheduled soon with an Indonesian Businessman in the textile sector, Mr. Fumanto Prasetyo, CEO of Sté Panjimas Textile.

JUNE 2020, COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS ON THE NEW ELEC’RECYCLAGE PLANT

One year after receiving investment funds from the EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development), «ELEC’RECYCLAGE Tunisie» is preparing to announce the end of construction works of its new site in the Industrial Area of Utique in June 2020. Built on a surface of 7500m², the new headquarters will offer better working conditions for its 150 employees and will host new equipment that will enrich the production chain through complete investment lines for the grinding of cables, electronic cards and plastic materials. Thanks to this investment, the «ELEC’RECYCLAGE» Group which also includes the hazardous waste management company «DID’RECYCLAGE» and the pallet recycling company «ECO’PALETTES», is now a leader in the global management services offered to international manufacturers located in Tunisia.

RENEWAL OF «COOPERATION AGREEMENT» WITH NABC

Our Chamber is planning to renew its Cooperation Agreement with the Nedherlands - African Business Council(NABC), following the meeting held with Ms. Amira Ajjabi at NABC Headquarters in The Hague on 17th January 2020 during her last visit to the Netherlands. NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020 15

TO BE NOTED : Our interventions in favour of our members

Tunisian institutions for example : ** BCT, Ministry of Finance, Directorate General of Customs, CNSS, CNAM, Ministry of Development, Investment and International Cooperation, Ministry of Industry and CNSS Caisse nationale SMEs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Vocational de Sécurité Sociale Training and Employment, Ministry of Transport, Communication Technologies and Digital Economy... as for fostering the relationship among our members,…. Our Chamber can assist them in the follow-up of their requests and together ensure that solutions are sought in a useful manner.

THE ECHOS OF THE COUNCIL OF MIXED CHAMBERS (CCM) This new column is intended to publish ads, issue communications and event briefings related to CCM

Given the current circumstances in Tunisia due to the coronavirus all events are postponed

SOME IMPORTANT FIGURES

• FACED WITH THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, THE HEAD OF GOVERNMENT, THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND THE CENTRAL BANK OF TUNISIA (BCT) ANNOUNCED NEW MEASURES AND MOBILIZED STRATEGIC BUDGETS. • THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE PUBLISHED ON 22 MARCH 2020 A LIST OF MEASURES TO SUPPORT COMPANIES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19. • THE MINISTER OF FINANCE ANNOUNCED, ON THE ONE HAND, THAT TUNISIA RECEIVES USD 400M FROM IMF TO COMBAT CORONAVIRUS AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD RENOUNCE THE CURRENT PROGRAM; AND ON THE OTHER HAND, A NEW FUEL PRICING MECHANISM WILL BE SET. • EBRD, EU AND TUNISIAN BANKS HAVE RAISED FUNDS TO COMBAT CORONAVIRUS IN TUNISIA. • THE ARAB INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS LEADERS (IACE) PUBLISHED ON 1ST APRIL 2020 A SURVEY ON TUNISIAN COMPANIES’ ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 CRISIS ON THEIR BUSINESS. • THE CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT WAS LIMITED TO -1.0% OF GDP IN THE FIRST 2 MONTHS OF 2020 (COMPARED TO -1.4% IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 2019). 16 NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020

COACHING ET CONTACTS AU PROFIT DE MEMBRES/PROSPECTS POUR INTERVENTIONS UTILES

MEMBER / POTENTIAL DATE REQUEST MADE TO ACTIONS ACTION/ FEEDBACK RECEIVED MEMBER COMPANIES 07/04 CFE ONAS Request for intervention made on 07/04 OUR COLLEGUE, MEMBER OF THE Problem resolved to the great satisfaction of our 31/03 Request made to TT CHAMBER SKANDER member SALLEMI Request for an appointment sent on Friday 06/03 30/03 CROWN MAGHREB Request made to BCT With the expected company of our SG Date to be set at a later time 27/03 HEDI MAAROUFI To the Governor of Bizerte Getting in contact

24/03 ELMOUSSEM Request made to DG of Customs Contact became useless

24/03 ELMOUSSEM Ministry of Transport Reply is pending

Request for an appointment sent 19/3 UGFS Ambassador of Belgium to Tunisia Reply is pending Date to be set at a later time

16/03 SO.RE.VA.DE Elec Recyclage Group Getting into contact to seek counseling and advice

Steps taken to obtain documentation, 11/03 SEMIT DG of taxation to the great satisfaction of our member

11/03 CFE CTE CNSS Follow-up of steps jointly taken to seek solutions

09/03 * NEDCO Group Business trip to Bizerte STE CMK OF KASSERINE * Lion Confection Group Support from our SG (1) * Governor of Bizerte (2 new members)

09/03 AEROMECA APII Support from our SG

Request for an appointment 05/03 CFE CTE CNSS Support from our SG Request for an appointment sent on Friday 06/03 05/03 GROUPE SEMIT BCT Support from our SG *GROUPE NEDCO * Ste CMK Contact with manufacturers from kasserine in 02/03 *GROUPE LION *Ste FOUSSANATEX Bizerte: Prospects for cooperation CONFECTION 26/02 Contact with possible Algerian purchaser (to be VEGE MOTEURS CCINO 28/02 continued) 26/02 HCC FIPA Appointment held on Wednesday 26/02 *SAGEMCOM 24/02 HCC Request for an appointment sent *CGEBT Obtaining the specifications from APIA regarding 21/02 BIO AGRO APIA batch No. 37 initiated by us Sent to the person concerned by express mail 21/02 HADS APII Support from our SG 21/02 HADS DG of Customs Support from our SG (11)

SOLIDARITY SOCIAL DEPARTMENT : Appreciative of the proven support of some of our members for their interventions and financial support in this delicate period for people in need. Our warmest thanks are extended to our generous donors from the Netherlands and Tunisia. NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020 17

OUR HONORARY MEMBERS’ OPINION COLUMN

ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN , THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE TUNISIAN SCHOOL

Ultrasonography is a Thanks to the French Cooperation and to our Ministry of revolutionary technique Public Health, a multiannual program was established; in medical imaging, I was able to acquire a second ultrasound scanner, then introduced into common a third, fourth etc... medical practice in We have become the first ultrasound center for adults the 1970s and 1980s and children, in Tunisia but also in Africa, a center that I throughout the world. Since had opened from the beginning to different specialties: then, it has undergone a cardiology, gynecology and obstetrics .... From one great evolution and has to two hundred patients a day were admitted and become an indispensable examined on the sole condition of providing the hospital tool in radiology, with a Polaroid film pack per patient ... gynecology, obstetrics, An enormous work has been achieved thanks to the PR. HASSEN A. cardiology, ophthalmology, self-giving team of the Radiology Department of our GHARBI rheumatology, etc... hospital whose members have become great masters, Professor of Radiology and Luckily, I had the Michel Brauner, Katelyn Dupuch, Wahid Hassine, Azza Biophysics opportunity to belong to the Hammou, Ferid Ben Chehida, Ibtissem Bellagha and Former WFUMB Chairman www.wfumb.org generation of physicians with the collaboration of the great Masters of Tunisian who witnessed the birth Medicine at that time, let me name a few, Professors of this technique and to Mohamed Ben Ismail, Rachid Mechmeche, Mohamed have modestly contributed to its application in human Chelli, Mamia Bornaz, Faouzia Zouari, Rafik Boukhris, medicine and its promotion at the national, African and Moncef Dargouth, Saadeddine Zmerli. .. global scale as I will summarize in this free space that From the very beginning of our work in ultrasound and is offered to me. driven by the idea of exploiting the patients’ capital, we As soon as I returned from in January 1970 after had at our disposal adults and children, to be of service earning a degree in Radiology and becoming a lecturer to them, but also to find lines of research oriented at the Faculty of Medicine of Paris, specializing in towards infectious and parasitic pathologies. Biophysics, I chose to work at the Children’s Hospital of The hydatid cyst, a real scourge, represented 10% of the Tunis and at the Faculty of Medicine of Tunis which was patients we were examining by ultrasound and 30% of newly established at the time. the large bellies of young children ... My request for an ultrasound machine for the Children’s Little was known about the imaging of hydatid cysts, Hospital of Tunis, which was called back then the and practically only in their cystic form. With assistance National Institute of Child Health directed by a great from collaborators, who have now become great pediatrician, the late Professor Béchir Hamza, dates masters, we proposed a classification into five types, back to 1974. which was immediately published first in the Journal I set a threefold objective, as instructed by my Grand Français de Radiologie in 1981 and then in the major Master, who captured my attention during my stay in American review, Radiology, in 1981. This classification, France, the late Professor André Djourno, holding the known as the Gharbi classification, is still very widely Chair of Biophysics at the Faculty of Medicine in Paris. He used throughout the world today and was proposed by was for me a guide, the fountain of science, generosity the WHO expert group as one of the bases for classifying and kindness, a man of laboratory and science. He was the imaging of hydatid cysts by ultrasound. indeed a second father to me. A second big idea was to diagnose osteomyelitis in He had taught me that I had to ensure a quality teaching children. At the request of Professor Moncef Dargouth, both theoretical and practical, to have a health care an orthopaedic surgeon, we were the first in the world to activity in hospitals to ensure care for the sick and finally describe the contribution of ultrasound in fighting this to have a research activity based on the application of disease which is frequent in our countries, a technique the accumulated know-how in biophysics to patients, in that has since been accepted and encouraged by the the various fields of Biophysics ... World Health Organization. Ultrasonography seemed to me the best choice to meet Our team has acquired a national and rapidly worldwide this threefold objective renown in the field of Ultrasound. It is thanks to the help of the General Company of We then thought of organizing the promotion of Radiology (CGR), that I received the first B-mode Ultrasound in our region and then in Africa. ultrasound scanner as a demonstration model then as With our French and Italian friends we created the a donation, Echovideorex, of excellent quality, the best Mediterranean and African Society of Ultrasound in on the market at that time... and remained so for a Medicine and Biology, the Mediterranean and African long time... Ultrasound techniques are for the first time Society of Ultrasound (MASU) under French law for used for clinical scans in the Island of , Hotel Dar the promotion of ultrasound in Africa. We conducted Djerba on June 1 and 2, 1977, First demonstration of ultrasound courses in different African countries and ultrasound in Tunisia. helped the formation of National Ultrasound Societies, 18 NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020

in Morocco, Uganda, Sudan, Libya, .... Area 1 where the situation is relatively acceptable, Subsequently, from 1992, MASU became an official with as proven examples regarding the number of member representing Africa in the prestigious World radiologists per million inhabitants: Tunisia 73, Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 35, Egypt 26, South Africa 17... WFUMB, which I had the honor to chair from 2013 to Area 2 where the situation is disastrous, with proven 2015. examples regarding the number of radiologists per Today the situation of ultrasound in Africa is by and million inhabitants: Tanzania and Uganda 1, Ethiopia 2, large unsatisfactory. With the exception of the greater Kenya and Zambia 4 ... Maghreb and South Africa where the situation is relatively acceptable elsewhere in Africa, the situation From where I stand here, I would like to address an is totally unsatisfactory. There is little ultrasound appeal asking for help in promoting ultrasound in equipment and few competent operators. There are no Africa, equipment, training sessions, the conduct of official statistics even at the WHO and official bodies. courses ... I would be delighted and honored to act as an WFUMB is making huge efforts to help African countries intermediary between donors and WFUMB for all these meet their needs, actions. We held ultrasound courses; we have created 14 I wanted here to try to show modestly as I say that Centers of Education (COE) of which 5 are in Africa to Tunisians can contribute effectively to the promotion of train doctors, midwives and technicians in ultrasound medicine in Africa, Tunisia constitutes an example to be in different regions across Africa. followed ... Ultrasonography in Africa, like all medical imaging techniques, is in a catastrophic situation in a large Hassen A. Gharbi number of countries. There are no official statistics Professor of Radiology and Biophysics everywhere but in a survey I have carried out, we can Former WFUMB Chairman divide Africa into 2 areas: www.wfumb.org.

COOPERATION

CONGRATULATIONS : DID’RECYCLAGE CHOSEN BY THE TUNISIAN GOVERNMENT TO REMOVE 800 TONS OF HAZARDOUS INDUSTRIAL WASTE STORED ON THE PLATFORM OF ANGED IN JRADDOU

DID’RECYCLAGE operates in the management of hazardous industrial waste in Tunisia since 2016 to collect, sort, store and dispose of hazardous industrial waste. The collected waste is recycled in France at our partner SPUR Environnement, a subsidiary of Véolia, and will be valorized in power generation from its combustion. ANGED, with funding provided by GIZ, validated a call for tender in which DID’RECYCLAGE has all the necessary skills and meets all the administrative and technical criteria to make this huge project successful to remove hazardous waste which is stored for more than 10 years to the disposal facility in France while guaranteeing regulatory compliance and the optimum traceability required. Due to this project, which will be processed during this year, the French multinational company of ELEC’RECYCLAGE group will add to its list of successes one of the largest hazardous industrial waste processing facilities in Africa.

Congratulations to our member Silver Elec Recycling and Mr. John MILOT, the CEO. NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020 19

MEMBER OF THE MONTH

ESPACE SEMIT Address : Route de 5012 Sahline - Tunisia • Activity: International Trade • Phone No.: +216 36 417 000 • Fax: +216 36 417 007 • Email: [email protected] • Names of Directing Managers: Mr. Gilles Portenguen / Mr. Phillip Orcel

Operating since 1989, we are specialized in the distribution of textile supplies and materials for exporting companies on the Tunisian territory.

turning linear or cylindrical rectification, • Numerically controlled milling gear cutting, electroerosion,... MR DIDIER RICHARD MR MOUNIR RHOUMA • Adjusting Chief Executive Site Manager • Assembly of electro- AEROMECA is specialized in the mechanical sub- manufacture, turning and milling assemblies AEROMECA • Dimensional inspection of mechanical parts, mainly used in Adress : Z.I GP3 Bir aeronautics. • Management of heat M’Charga - 1111 - Tunisia and surface treatments AEROMECA is located in Djebel Ouest, • Activity: Precision engineering Tunisia. with a network of partners • Phone (+216) 72 640 687 / (+216) 72 460 The activity is oriented towards small 724 and medium series in a context of less • Management of • Email: [email protected] technical parts with strong economic subcontractors in constraints. Our customers are leading players in the aeronautics industry.

KNOW HOW

• Industrialization of technical documentation according to specifications • Supply of raw materials • Parallel and numerically controlled 20 NEWSLETTER CTNCI - MARCH 2020

FAIRS & EXHIBITIONS

9 TO 11 JUNE 2020 IN TUNIS : 5 TH EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES DEDICATED TO AFRICA, SITIC AFRICA 2020 TunisieAfrique Export closely with Société des FoiresInternationales de Tunis and in cooperation with IT National Federation, UTICA and in partnership with the Tunisian Professional Association of Banks and Financial Institutions (APTBEF) and The Arab Information and Communication Technology Organization, AICTO, is organizing the fifth edition of the International Exhibition for Information and Communication Technologies dedicated to Africa, SITIC AFRICA 2020 which will take place from 9 to 11 June 2020 in Tunis. The international vocation of SITIC AFRICA 2020 is already -Heldunder the auspices of the Ministry of Communication confirmed: several international business delegations are Technologies and Digital Economy, this exhibition aims to already announcedcoming (Canada, Belgium, Germany, showcase the Tunisian ICT offer to Tunisian SMEs while France, Italy, Algeria, Jordan, Russia...). More than a thousand being a platform for the International Partnership involving foreign professional visitors are expected to participate, Africa, the Arab World, the Developed Countries and Tunisia. including more than 300 from Africa.

Mongi Goaied General Secretary The Order of Orange-Nassau On the 3rd of May 1974

21/04/2020